Southeast Alabama Regional Planning & Development Commission

Retirement Celebration for W. Fred Dykes

 After eighteen years of service to the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (SEARP&DC) Freddy Dykes announced his plans for retirement.  On December 1 a large gathering of friends, family, co-workers, and governmental dignitaries joined in a festive farewell celebration for Mr. Dykes.  Pictured above are a few of the approximately 100 attendees (left to right):  Charles Dismuke, Mayor of Gordon; Robert Stephens, Chairman of Coffee County Commission; Eria Sorrells, Mayor of Hartford; Roy Crow Chairperson of SEARP&DC, Jack Pelfrey, Mayor of Clio; Freddy Dykes, Retired Executive Director of SEARP&DC; Lamar Turner, Judge of Henry County Probate; Bill Meadows, Alabama Advantage Program Manager; Tom Solomon, Executive Director of SEARP&DC; Wess Etheredge, Mayor of Daleville; Lomax Smith, Mayor of Cottonwood; and Eunice Hagler, Probate Judge of Dale County.

An impressive array of proclamations were presented in honor of Mr. Dykes from the offices of Governor Bob Riley, Senator Harri Anne Smith, and the City of Eufaula. County proclamations presented included Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston.

The Commission’s human resources manager, Penny Rotolo, notes that the new executive director, “Tom Solomon has spent the last 9 years as the Commission’s director of economic development where he developed and managed numerous regional community and economic development grant and loan projects. The Commission is well positioned for growth due to the direction of Fred Dykes and we are confident that Mr. Solomon will provide the leadership needed for accelerated and sustained success in our mission of serving our communities within the states seven most southeastern counties. Personally, everyone at the Commission is going to miss the daily interaction with Freddy, but we all wish him a well deserved healthy and happy retirement.”

Mr. Solomon commented that “Freddy Dykes provided stable and effective leadership during his tenure as Executive Director of the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission. Mr. Dykes was very active in promoting regional initiatives to further economic and community development. During his watch, the Commission expanded its role in providing valuable services to the citizens of the Southeast Alabama region.”